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Apr 7, 2011

A Band of Ribbon

Curtains have been hung in the living room!!! You might remember my inspiration photos here... I wanted to add a band of ribbon or fabric on the existing curtains. Well, I had to move to plan B after I priced dry cleaning for the drapes that the previous owners left behind -- $200. What? Just for a cleaning? Expensive! That amount could buy new curtains..... hmmmm, good idea!

I wasn't crazy about the existing curtain color anyway, especially after we painted the walls and moved our furniture in the house. So I was all for using what would have been dry cleaning money to buy new curtains. I wanted something simple.... and simple usually brings me to Ikea, such great prices. I bought five packs (2 panels in a pack) of the Ritva curtain in white. This design is made with hidden back tabs to slide on a curtain rod, but I chose to hang the curtains with rings/clips and add a band of 2 inch, black, grosgrain ribbon along the inner side. From this to this... all for under $200...

I love it!!! I kept adding panel after panel to the rod and it kept looking better and better, but once all the panels were on the rod, the curtains still needed something (besides the need to be hemmed). You know, that "wow" factor...

That's when I pulled out the ladder, ribbon from M&J Trimming, fabric glue and got to work. It took less than 30 minutes (while the kids made Mr. Potato Head jump up and down the ladder steps ).

It was definitely a well spent 30 minutes...

And since we're talking about the living room (and curtains), I should probably give you a peak at the progress in the rest of the room.

This is our main living space and I really like how the curtains turned out.... the band of ribbon really makes all the difference.

I used Fabri-tac glue to attach the ribbon to the curtain panel (http://shop.hobbylobby.com/search/default.aspx?searchTerm=Fabri-Tac+Washable+Permanent+Adhesive) and 2 1/4" black grosgrain ribbon from M&J Trim (www.mjtrim.com/Catalog/Product/162/00308/00308.aspx). I already had a 50yd roll on hand, but 2" grosgrain ribbon can be purchased at most craft stores). Such a simple update... I'm putting together a tutorial on this and should have it posted by early next week. Have fun... would love to see how your curtains turn out!